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Growing Atomic Bazaar features something different

Jeanie Starosteckie watches as Elizabeth Hillmann of Picasso Moon Yarn spins wool into yarn using a spinning wheel on Sunday at the Atomic Bazaar in Sarasota.

PHOTOS / CARLA VARISCO-WILLIAMS

By LESLEY DWYERCorrespondent

Published: Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 5:25 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 5:25 p.m.

SARASOTA - It has long been billed as "not your grandmother's craft show," but that does not mean grandmothers do not still pile into the Municipal Auditorium each year for the Atomic Holiday Bazaar.

"I love this kind of stuff," Jeanie Starostecki, 62, said Sunday while browsing crafts with her son and grandson. "This is my element."

The Atomic Bazaar, typical in the sense that shoppers can find homemade bath products, jewelry and clothing, would be more fittingly titled the Atomic "Bizarre."

Instead of sculptures, there are "skullptures." Instead of standard gold and silver, necklaces are made from old bicycle chains.

Many of the vendors recycle to create. Glass bottles, musical instruments, album covers, cereal boxes and bullet casings were all on display in new art forms.

The two-day craft show is in its seventh year and continues to expand with each season. There used to be a fashion show on the stage, but vendors need to occupy that space now.

Within the past two years, the show has also taken over the back room of the auditorium, which accommodates an additional 40 vendors. The room was filled with handknitted octopus hats, heart pendants covered in spikes and superhero barrettes, among other things.

There were 170 vendors to keep up with the growing attendance.

"The first year, we had 550 through the door; (Saturday) was about 1,600," organizer Adrien Lucas said. "It's nice that Sarasota has been so welcoming; they wait in line to see the show."

And the crowd was happily shelling out more than the five-dollar admission to get through the door.

"I had to downsize to a smaller table because I sold so much yesterday," local jewelry maker Betsy Kennedy said Sunday.

Popular for her Day of the Dead clay pieces, artist Janet Lu Rudawsky travels regularly for craft shows. "I do about 20-30 a year, and this is in the top five," she said as she pointed around the packed auditorium, "It's a crowd like this pretty much the whole weekend."

Vendor spaces sell out by the end of June. Sarasota artist Kerry Topjun would have loved to display her re-inspired mixed media both days but said Saturday filled up too quickly to get a spot.

"The whole feel of this show is so much fun," she said.

Adding to the fun was a DJ spinning head-bobbing tunes from open until close and the Suncoast Squad Quad roller derby team periodically skating down the aisles.

"There is adult content to the show, but it's family-friendly," Lucas said. "People here walk to a different beat; you better have a sense of humor."

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - It has long been billed as "not your grandmother's craft show," but that does not mean grandmothers do not still pile into the Municipal Auditorium each year for the Atomic Holiday Bazaar.</p><p>"I love this kind of stuff," Jeanie Starostecki, 62, said Sunday while browsing crafts with her son and grandson. "This is my element." </p><p>The Atomic Bazaar, typical in the sense that shoppers can find homemade bath products, jewelry and clothing, would be more fittingly titled the Atomic "Bizarre." </p><p>Instead of sculptures, there are "skullptures." Instead of standard gold and silver, necklaces are made from old bicycle chains.</p><p>Many of the vendors recycle to create. Glass bottles, musical instruments, album covers, cereal boxes and bullet casings were all on display in new art forms.</p><p>The two-day craft show is in its seventh year and continues to expand with each season. There used to be a fashion show on the stage, but vendors need to occupy that space now.</p><p>Within the past two years, the show has also taken over the back room of the auditorium, which accommodates an additional 40 vendors. The room was filled with handknitted octopus hats, heart pendants covered in spikes and superhero barrettes, among other things.</p><p>There were 170 vendors to keep up with the growing attendance.</p><p>"The first year, we had 550 through the door; (Saturday) was about 1,600," organizer Adrien Lucas said. "It's nice that Sarasota has been so welcoming; they wait in line to see the show." </p><p>And the crowd was happily shelling out more than the five-dollar admission to get through the door.</p><p>"I had to downsize to a smaller table because I sold so much yesterday," local jewelry maker Betsy Kennedy said Sunday. </p><p>Popular for her Day of the Dead clay pieces, artist Janet Lu Rudawsky travels regularly for craft shows. "I do about 20-30 a year, and this is in the top five," she said as she pointed around the packed auditorium, "It's a crowd like this pretty much the whole weekend."</p><p>Vendor spaces sell out by the end of June. Sarasota artist Kerry Topjun would have loved to display her re-inspired mixed media both days but said Saturday filled up too quickly to get a spot.</p><p>"The whole feel of this show is so much fun," she said.</p><p>Adding to the fun was a DJ spinning head-bobbing tunes from open until close and the Suncoast Squad Quad roller derby team periodically skating down the aisles.</p><p>"There is adult content to the show, but it's family-friendly," Lucas said. "People here walk to a different beat; you better have a sense of humor."</p><p><EMPTY></p>